Business, culture and pleasure all come together in Panama City, a city as dynamic as it is interesting, where tourists and executives intermingle. Under the tropical sun, its streets and people make a contrast unique in Latin America.

Along with imposing skyscrapers, there are colonial quarters; all along the impressive Panama Canal, there are tropical forests with one of the greatest fowl concentrations in the world.

The Latino feel rules the night, but society is made up of a melting pot of cultures, attracted by the place's commercial magnet, a shopping paradise.

Hotel Riu Plaza Panama is ideal for enjoying the charms Panama City has to offer. Businessmen and tourists will appreciate its privileged location in the heart of the city, where in addition to several offices, there are also stores, restaurants and museums.

Their avant-garde decoration rooms are of note, along with Wireless Internet connection and panoramic views of the city, in addition to complete facilities: gymnasium (free), conference rooms, a spa with massage service, health and beauty treatments, and an outdoor swimming pool with a hydro-massage Jacuzzi.

Recommended in Panama City

The best of Panama City

Panama City

New City: Dominated by imposing skyscrapers that show its importance as a business and commercial center, Panama City has become one of the most prized destinations in Latin America. The numerous museums, bars and restaurants in Panama City attract businessmen and tourists alike.

Throughout the years, and due to its privileged geographical location, this city has welcomed people from several different cultures. Descendants of Spaniards, mestizos, indigenous peoples and Indian, Chinese and Arabic communities, in addition to others, all co-inhabit its streets.

Beyond the steel and glass buildings, one of the most pleasant places is Calzada de Amador. This tree-lined 2 km walkway links the continent with the four islands in front of the city. Panamanians appreciate it for taking a stroll or sitting down to enjoy a refreshment, all while admiring the urban landscape with skyscrapers and the picturesque Historic Center.

If you want to escape the hullaballoo of the city, go the Metropolitan Natural Park, with 265 hectares of dense tropical vegetation. The sound of monkeys and fowl contrasts with car horns and urban movement. The many pathways through it will lead you to discover fantastic views of the city, the bay and the immense Panama Canal.

Historic Center: After the city’s expansion, the historic center was pushed backstage and the area entered a period of decadence. However, for the past few years, investors have once again taken interest in the Historic Center. The colonial buildings are being reformed, and its streets, once unsanitary, now house bars, restaurants and art galleries that decided this area was an ideal place to settle.

The nerve center is the Plaza de la Independencia. This is where the declaration of independence was read in 1903. Do not hesitate to get lost in the tiny streets branching off of this plaza and to soak up colonial charm and Latino flavor.

You cannot miss out on the San José church, either, with the Golden Altar, one of Panama’s treasures. In 1671, during pirate Henry Morgan’s destructive incursions, the priest at the time managed to save this Baroque masterpiece from sure plunder.

Plaza de Francia is located at the south point, dedicated to the role of the French in constructing the Panama Canal. The Paseo de las Bóvedas surrounds it, designed to protect the old city. From here, you will have beautiful views of part of the Historic Center and the enormous ships waiting to access the Panama Canal.

The Presidential Palace is one of the most beautiful and best cared-for buildings in the area. It is currently the Panamanian Chief of State’s place of residence.

If you would like to make a cultural stop, do not miss out on the Inter-oceanic Canal Museum. It explains the canal’s construction with exhibitions.

Panamá Viejo: The city’s original site was established here, founded in 1519 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias de Ávila. This nucleus was almost completely razed by the corsair Henry Morgan. As of today, the ruins can be visited.

Strolling around here will take you to another time, when the Spanish controlled Panama City and the continent. One of the best-preserved buildings is the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and the Casa Alarcón.

Panama Canal

Many consider it to be the most important engineering feat in history. In any case, the idea is fantastic: joining the Atlantic and the Pacific with a gigantic swathe that literally cuts the country in two. In making it, distances were reduced, and most importantly, new, agile business routes were opened.

Since its finalization in 1914, an infinity of boats have crossed the 80km spanning from Panama City to Colon. To find out more about its operation, go to the Miraflores sluice gates. These gigantic compartments are located between the canal and the sea, acting as lifts for water that raise boats about 26m, from sea level to the level of Gatún Lake, allowing for navigation.

In addition to admiring it, you may also use the canal to carry out a wide variety of activities. One of the most impressive ones is navigating from the Miraflores sluice gate all the way to the lake bearing the same name. One may also participate in hiking, fishing and bird watching.

Taboga island

This island, a place for relaxation for many Panamanians and tourists, lies 20 km off of Panama City’s coast. People come to enjoy its beaches and tranquility.

The town’s narrows streets have not lost the color of the flowers that decorate its small houses, which in their day awed French artist Paul Gaugin. What is more, here you will find the second-oldest church in the New World, founded in 1550. Its interior is surprising, with a picturesque altar and delicate ornamentations.

The island is right in the middle of the migratory route for humpbacked whales. With a bit of luck, between August and October, you may see one of them lifting their enormous bodies from the water as they pass by the coast.

Taboga also houses half of the world’s population of brown pelicans. Almost a third of its surface area is protected so as to ensure the conservation of this species.

Outings in the Soberanía National Park

Just 20 minutes from downtown Panama City, one can enter a wild world, where jungle sounds replace the noise of cars. It is calculated that half of the known species in Panama inhabit these forests.

Amongst the many pathways crisscrossing this immense park, the Oleoducto houses one of the greatest bird densities in the world. Toucans, numerous species of birds of prey and colorful endemic birds hide amongst the thick vegetation.

The Isla Barro Colorado National Monument is right in the middle of Gatún Lake, and has a variety of impressive fauna: 72 species of bats, 5 species of monkeys, agoutis, tapirs, coatis, sloths and peccaries. Its botanical richness is just as extraordinary, with more than 1,200 plant species. A great number of paths begin at the interpretation center, which will help you to discover the area.

Up high on the Torre de Canopy, an old American military construction, you can enjoy a complete panoramic view, including the tropical jungle and part of the canal, with enormous ships passing by.

Sport Fishing

Panamanian coasts are quite rich, and this means there is a wide variety of outings offered from the capital. The most common species are snapper, grouper, marlin, sailfish, yellow-gilled tuna and roosterfish, in addition to others. Enthusiasts of these activities will have the opportunity to catch fish that would normally be found at greater depths, normally beyond the reach of short outings. You may also go sweet-water fishing in the Chagres River and Gatún Lake.

Shopping in Panama City

Panama City is a top-notch shopping destination. The many American-style shopping malls in the city are stocked with a great variety of fashion, technology and luxury product brands, almost always at advantageous prices. When heat and tropical humidity begin to bear down, these shopping malls with air conditioning are ideal to refresh oneself, and especially, to spend money.

Although the official currency is the Balboa, United States citizens have no need to exchange their money, as the dollar may be legally used throughout the entire country.

Artisan crafts: Stores with artisan products from every corner of the country abound in Panama City. In Pueblito and the Mercado Nacional de Artesanías (National Artisan Craft Market), you can find baskets from the Emberá and Wounaan tribes, or typical Kuna embroidery.

You can also find jewels, mainly from Colombia and Brazil, mass producers of precious stones. If you are not an expert, be careful: imitations abound.

Nightlife in Panama City

Panama City can probably boast the liveliest nights of all Central America. The Buenavista and Cangrejo districts have many bars and night clubs that leave nothing to be desired in comparison with those in Miami. People come here to have a good time, but also to see and be seen.

There are also places for every taste: dancing, rock and jazz music, and even beautiful traditional musical shows.

An original way to enjoy the night is along the Chivitas Parranderas: night clubs inside of a bus where one can crisscross the city to the beat of Latino rhythms.

Specialities

The country’s more than 2,000 kilometers of coastline make fish and seafood the main ingredient in many dishes. Spider crab, prawn, common prawn, squid and native species such as guabina, all abound and are of excellent quality.

But products from the sea are not the only main ingredients on Panama City’s tables. Soups are very popular. The most famous soup is the sancocho, a meat stew accompanied by yam, yucca or corn, dressed with onion, pepper, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Fu-fu should also be mentioned. It is prepared with coconut, banana and fish, and then ají chombo is added, a typical spicy condiment with habanero chili.

For dessert, there is nothing better than a delicious tropical fruit such as pineapple, coconut, guava or papaya. You may also try another type of delicacy, such as the sopa de borracho (drunkard’s soup), a vanilla sweet with raisins and liquor.